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【The Dance from Ciel’s Eyes】

For the final exam, Ain and Leshimiiya ended up paired for a dance, for some reason.
We had already decided that Ain would be the one to dance beforehand, something I immediately agreed to for the chance to see her dance, but as time passed, I came to regret not contesting that decision.

After all, I lost the chance to be Ain’s first public dance partner.
Considering the conversation with Leshimiiya, it was probably for the best that Ain was the one to dance, but I couldn’t help feeling jealous.
I wanted to be the one to reach out my hand and invite Ain for a dance.

I wanted to be the one to guide Ain along while surrounded by spirits.

Even if Leshimiiya wasn’t the one dancing with Ain, someone else would have taken that place. For the first time in my life, I felt negative feelings toward dancing.

Why do formal party dances have to be performed in pairs?

Fortunately for me, Ain didn’t seem to enjoy their dance at all; she was completely occupied with the conversation with Leshimiiya.
Unfortunately for me, Leshimiiya’s dancing really brought Ain’s charm to the surface.
Still, I swore to myself that I would be the first one Ain would enjoy dancing with as I watched the two—through Ain’s field of vision, since that’s all I could see.

Ain didn’t seem to notice it, but Leshimiiya was doing her best to make Ain’s movements look elegant.
Still, since Ain was clearly trying to avoid touching her—there was no direct contact thanks to the barrier—I’ll allow it.

Leshimiiya was steadily cornering Ain with questions, and I could tell Ain was starting to feel pressured.

Doesn’t she know that only I’m allowed to trouble Ain?
When teasing Ain, you can’t push too far. You need to stop at just the right moment to see her look adorably flustered and no further, you know?
In that regard, Leshimiiya still has a lot to learn.

Ain kept feigning ignorance, but when Leshimiiya brought up the masked Ain, she was visibly surprised.
Only slightly, though.
Ain seems to have some clue in mind, but her surprise sounded genuine, so I asked her about it.

『Do you have any idea how she recognized you, Ain?』
『When we first met Princess Leshimiiya, wasn’t there a red-haired noble girl with her?』
『There was. Didn’t she take the exam in the same room as us?』
『That she did. I suspect she might have an appraisal-type Job. If not, then I must have made a mistake somewhere without realizing it.』
『If that’s the case, it’s the appraisal-type Job. After all, Ain would never make that kind of mistake.』

I see. Ain really is observant.
Still, I think she tends to overthink things.
If Ain ever made a mistake in her defenses, then anyone else would’ve failed too.

『I appreciate that you believe in me, but we can’t rule out the possibility that I slipped up, you know?』

Ain said all that for my sake. It wasn’t just regret; it was also a reflection of her desire to correct even the smallest of mistakes and keep improving herself.
While I’m happy that Ain would go so far for me and want to cheer her on, I can’t help but feel that she pushes herself too hard.

I know very well that Ain isn’t above making mistakes.
After all, it’s thanks to some of her slip-ups that I’ve been able to see many of her more adorable sides.
I’m such a bad girl for not telling her I know. So bad!

Still, I want Ain to understand that she doesn’t need to be so hard on herself this time.
Even if she did make a mistake, it’s not like I’m always in grave danger.
Thinking about how sweetly woeful Ain is, I couldn’t help but smile and say, 『I know.』

『But if we start doubting whether you failed or not, there would be no end to it. Most importantly, you’ve never once cut corners or let up your focus when it comes to protecting me.
Besides, it doesn’t hurt to consider the possibility that they have someone with an appraisal-type Job, does it?』
『That’s true, but there’s nothing more I can currently do against appraisal.』

Ain suddenly started speaking faster. Did my feelings get through to her?
I know she always talks faster when she’s feeling bashful.

『Honestly, I think there are very few people with better countermeasures against appraisal than you, Ain. If that’s the case, we just have to accept the situation as it is, don’t we?』
『Well… That’s…』
『Ain, blaming yourself for things beyond your control is one of your bad habits, you know?
I do find that part of you precious, but it makes me worry.』

Ain has been like this since we met at Rispelgia’s mansion. Even when I believe she’s already done her best, she never seems to think so.
That’s why my gentle Ain always ends up hurting.

『Thank you very much.』

How she would say thanks because she didn’t know how else to respond is so Ain-like, I couldn’t help but say, 『Ain, you’re adorable.』

【Ciel and Course Selection】

「I can understand sorceric tool studies, but I don’t think there’s much point in you taking fundamentals of sorcery, Ain.」

With the results announcement over and Mia out handling our payments, Ain and I were going over our course selections.
And for some reason, Ain planned to take basic sorcery lessons.
I don’t think she really needs those at this point, though.

『It may end up being redundant, but since I learned sorcery through self-study, I’m a bit curious about it.
Who knows, I might discover something new, and it may also help in selecting spells adequate for Ailneige to use.』
「Is that how it is? In that case, is that also why we’re taking the hunter classes?」
『It’s a similar reason.』

It certainly is important to investigate what spells and sorcery Ailneige should be capable of using, I suppose.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any meaning in us creating Ailneige as an alter ego. Still, I personally don’t think we need to be that thorough about this.
Apparently, Ain also intends to take beginner-level hunter courses, so I’m honestly impressed with her commitment.

『As for you, it’ll be puppet sorcery, right?』

As Ain said, I pretty much only want to attend the puppet sorcery course.
The golem stuff also seemed interesting, but since its time conflicts with the puppet sorcery’s schedule, I had no choice but to give up on it.
Being in a situation where there are things I want to do but have to give up on honestly feels weird. Up until now, I would be fine as long as I’m with Ain, and that likely wouldn’t change, but maybe this is a result of having more things I want to do outside of that?

「It’s practically the reason why I came to the academy, after all. If possible, I wanted to take the course on golems too, but they have the same time slot.」
『That’s true. Come to think of it, what do you want to learn puppet sorcery for, Ciel?』
「For making Ain’s body, obviously?」

What other reason could there be?
Since it’s a puppet, I might not be able to make a big one, but a small Ain would be adorable to see as well.
Just imagining a small Ain singing on the top of my palm was almost enough to curl my lips into a grin.

Of course, I don’t intend to force this upon Ain, but there might be situations where it would be convenient for Ain to have a body.

『That might end up being difficult, you know?』
「People learn to figure out whether something is possible or not, right?」
『That’s true.』
「Ain, don’t you ever wish that day would come again, even as soon as tomorrow?」

That fated day when Ain was granted a body for a day.
I’m eagerly looking forward to it happening again, but if Ain doesn’t feel the same way, then that might be troubling.
However, Ain responded with a wholehearted 『Of course I do.』
In that case, perhaps Ain simply has some concerns regarding the use of puppet sorcery. Since it’s an entirely issue, we’ll cross that bridge if it’s still a concern after I learn more about it.

「I want to experience those happy times again.」
『We might end up drowning in indulgence, though.』
「Isn’t that just fine, though? As long as I’m with Ain, I’ll be happy to nap and doze off for as long as forever.」
『In that case, we’ll have to create a place where no one can disturb us.』
「Right, that’s right!」
『When that happens, I’ll handle it.』
「Can you really do that?」
『By that time, I’ll surely be able to.』

In other words, Ain can’t do it yet?
But if she’s seriously entertaining the idea, that must mean she’s on board with it.
If that’s the case, then I’m really, really happy.

Well, since Ain plans to handle that problem by that time, let’s return to the topic of courses.

「Ain, what do you want to learn sorceric tool studies for?」
『I want to see if it can help with making magic pouches.』
「That reminds me, you were fiddling with one before. And then it ended up being usable only by us… or rather, only by you.」

The small magic pouch we previously received from Carol now has a larger storage space and a slower flow of time inside, all thanks to Ain’s handiwork. But as a result, only those protected by Ain can use it.
I’m constantly under Ain’s protection anyway, and I don’t think we need to concern ourselves with people trying to use our magic pouch without permission, so I don’t really find that to be an issue.

『I want to make it so that it can be used freely, and I’d like to create one where time stops entirely inside it.
I also want to expand the storage space even further, though that might actually be easier than the previous improvements.』
「Wouldn’t people be really surprised if they heard that?
Isn’t making a magic pouch extremely difficult?」
『That’s right. I have a feeling that only people with the “Artificer” Job are capable of making them.』
「Why do you think so?」
『Well, while many sorceric tools, like the ones that produce light, water, or perform preset functions, could probably be recreated with pure sorcery, don’t you think there are some tools that clearly go beyond that and are in the realm of actual magic?』
「Now that you mention it…」

It goes without saying that magic pouches are the prime example of that.
The sorceric tool that inhibits the use of sorcery is probably also in the realm of magic.
If those can’t be made by anyone except those with special Jobs, I can understand why.

「Still, doesn’t that mean that you might never be able to make one of those?」
『That could be the case.』
「But you do think you probably can, right?」
『With enough tries, maybe.』
「Fufu, you’re amazing, Ain. Amazing!」

While Ain didn’t seem confident about it, since she gave that kind of answer, she must have some basis for it.
Just imagining Ain succeeding at something like this made me somewhat feel proud.

But if it doesn’t go well, seeing Ain sullen and embarrassed might be kind of cute too. I’ll keep that little thought to myself.

If that ever happens, I’ll make sure to comfort her.

And that ends this chapter! A whole chapter of AinCiel preciousness, blessed we are!

For the first part, it’s generally the same but from Ciel’s point of view, while for the second part, we have a fair bit of new material. I appreciate the mismatch between Ain’s perception of Ciel’s trust and Ciel’s actual thoughts. Ain still sees Ciel as someone not mature enough to realize that Ain is not infallible, like a child seeing their parents as greater than life, but Ciel has made the realization long ago and even has a taste for seeing Ain in a bit of trouble… actually more than just in a bit, but she has enough restraint. Ain’s fragility during the first battle not only grounded Ain in Ciel’s eyes, but absolutely awakened something within her, like how a certain scene in an innocuous TV show would affect many children’s preferences (ex. goth girls). Adorable, but somewhat frightful.

Now then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to comment. Stay healthy, stay safe, and have a nice day~!

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